Work and Family

Although the “traditional” family—a father who works outside the home and financially supports the children and a mother whose work is keeping the house and raising the children—has been disappearing for more than a generation, our workplaces and government policies have not kept pace with America’s new reality.

Most children are growing up in homes with both parents working or with single parents. One-third of workers don’t have access to paid sick leave, and only 42 percent have paid personal leave. What’s the impact on public health when working people can’t afford to take sick days during a flu epidemic? Who takes care of a sick child? Who’s home to fix dinner and help with homework? Who can dedicate time to a sick elderly parent?

The recession and jobless recovery have complicated life further for working families, when having to leave work for a family emergency could lead to long-term unemployment.

More about this issue:

Feb 17, 2023 | News Story

The collective bargaining contract for city workers expired in May 2021, and the last time these public servants received a pay increase was in 2019– long before hundreds of municipal workers lost their lives to COVID-19 while showing up to make New York City run.

Feb 17, 2023 | News Story

The WGA East has filed an unfair labor practice charge against the Bustle Digital Group, in response to the termination of three members who were laid off there recently in retaliation for their concerted, protected union activity in violation of the National Labor Relations Act.

Feb 17, 2023 | News Story

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., yesterday announced the creation of the Office’s first-ever Worker Protection Unit to investigate and prosecute wage theft and other forms of worker harassment and exploitation across Manhattan’s many industries.

Feb 21

Committee of Interns and Residents/SEIU members at Elmhurst Hospital will hold a rally demanding patient and healthcare worker equity on Tuesday February 21, 2023 from 5 pm - 6 pm.

Feb 10, 2023 | News Story

After thirteen weeks on strike, members of the HarperCollins Union announced last night that they have reached a tentative agreement that includes increases to minimum salaries across levels and a $1500 lump sum bonus to all union employees.

Feb 10, 2023 | News Story

More than 200 journalists at NBC News, MSNBC, and TODAY Digital walked off the job Thursday morning in protest of their employers' illegal actions and bad-faith bargaining.

Feb 10, 2023 | News Story

More than 1000 Legal Aid Society attorneys and allies held pickets outside their offices in all five boroughs of New York City on Wednesday, demanding fair wages after seven months without a contract.

Feb 10, 2023 | News Story

Writers Guild of America, East members at WNYW Fox 5 New York are currently in negotiations with FOX 5 for their renewed contract. They are determined to get a fair deal; however, they are now facing the largest obstacle to an agreement—protecting their WGA Pension.

Feb 10, 2023 | News Story

More than 400 writers in film and television who are members of the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) and Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) have signed a petition in support of their fellow Guild members at MSNBC who have been negotiating a first contract for over a year with management at

Feb 10, 2023 | News Story

The New York Daily News this week featured NYSNA's fight for pay equity and health equity in public hospitals. H+H/ Mayoral members’ contract expires on March 2.